A Landlord's Guide to Gas Safety Certificates

Landlords in England must have every gas appliance, fitting and flue they provide checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer and give tenants a copy of the gas safety record. You can book the check up to two months early and keep the same renewal date. Prime Gas Services charges £70 to £100.

Every year the same thing happens to a lot of landlords: the gas safety record is due next week, the tenant is hard to get hold of, and every engineer seems booked up. It's stressful, and it's avoidable. The rules themselves are straightforward once you know them, and with a bit of planning you can keep the same renewal date year after year without the last-minute rush. Here's what you need to know, from a team that carries out these checks across Kettering, Northampton, Corby, Wellingborough and the surrounding towns.

What the Law Asks of Landlords

If you rent out a property in England with gas appliances, you're responsible for keeping them safe. In practice that means:

• An annual check: every gas appliance, fitting and flue you provide must be checked for safety every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• A record for your tenants: you must give existing tenants a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check, and new tenants a copy before they move in.
• Keeping records: hold on to each record until two further checks have been done, so you can always show a history.
• Maintenance: the appliances must be kept in safe working order between checks, not just on the day of the inspection.

Appliances that belong to the tenant, such as a cooker they brought with them, aren't your responsibility to check, although the pipework and flues you supply still are. The certificate is often called a CP12 or a landlord gas safety certificate. Both names mean the gas safety record.

What Happens During the Check

A landlord gas safety check is a set of safety tests rather than a full service. On the day, our engineer will:

• Carry out a gas tightness test at the meter to confirm there are no leaks in the installation.
• Check each appliance is burning gas safely and set to the right pressure.
• Make sure flues and chimneys are clear and carrying fumes safely out of the property.
• Check there is enough ventilation for each appliance.
• Test that safety devices work as they should.

You'll then receive the gas safety record listing every appliance checked and the result. If anything fails, the engineer explains why, what needs doing, and what it will cost. Some issues can be put right on the spot. Anything classed as dangerous is made safe there and then, as the Gas Safe rules require.

A landlord gas safety check with Prime Gas Services costs £70 to £100, depending on the number of appliances.

How to Keep the Same Renewal Date

This is the part many landlords don't realise. You can have the check done up to two months before the current record runs out and still keep your original anniversary date. So if your record expires on 30 November, a check any time between 1 October and 30 November keeps your renewal date at 30 November for next year too.

That two-month window takes most of the pressure off. It gives you time to arrange access with your tenant, rebook if they're not in, and deal with any repairs before the deadline rather than after it. We'd always suggest booking as soon as the window opens.

Combine It With a Boiler Service

A gas safety check and a boiler service are two different jobs. The check confirms the appliances are safe on the day. A boiler service goes further, cleaning and inspecting the boiler inside so it keeps running reliably and stays within the manufacturer's warranty terms.

Many landlords book both for the same visit, which means one appointment for the tenant, one trip for us, and fewer breakdown calls through the winter. We offer a discount when the landlord check is combined with a boiler service. A standard service on its own is £85 to £150.

Working With Your Tenants

Getting access is usually the hardest part of the whole process. A few things make it easier:

• Give notice early: let your tenant know the check is due as soon as you've booked, and keep a note of when you contacted them.
• Share our details: give your tenant our number. Our engineers also aim to call ahead of the appointment, so the tenant knows when to expect us.
• Keep the paperwork moving: pass the new record to your tenant promptly and keep your own copy with the previous ones.

We work with private landlords and estate agents across Kettering, Northampton, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and the surrounding towns. Find out more about our landlord gas safety checks, or see our FAQs for more common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions